National Health Authority · Government of India

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), made simple

Create your free ABHA number, download your ABHA card, and bring every medical record into one national health timeline. Here’s ABDM explained clearly — and how it differs from the Ayushman (PM-JAY) card.

Create my free ABHA
Free 14-digit ABHA number Aadhaar or mobile number Consent-based sharing

ABDM, ABHA and the Ayushman card — how they fit together

These three names are easy to confuse, so here is the plain-English difference. ABDM is the mission, ABHA is your free digital health ID within it, and the Ayushman (PM-JAY) card is a separate government health-insurance scheme.

The ecosystem

ABDM — the mission

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (that’s the ABDM full form) is India’s national programme to connect the health system, run by the National Health Authority. It sets the common standards that let hospitals, labs and apps exchange your records — only with your consent.

For everyone in India

Free · digital

ABHA — your health ID

ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account — a free 14-digit ABHA number (and an ABHA address like yourname@abdm) that acts as your digital health ID. Create it with your Aadhaar number or mobile number, then download your ABHA card in seconds.

For everyone in India

PM-JAY cover

Ayushman card — the insurance

The Ayushman card belongs to Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the health-insurance arm of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. It gives eligible families up to ₹5 lakh of cover a year for hospital treatment. It is different from ABHA — one is insurance, the other is your digital health record.

For eligible beneficiary families

How to create your ABHA number and download your ABHA card

Getting your Ayushman Bharat Health Account takes about two minutes. All you need is your Aadhaar number or a mobile number — there is no fee and no paperwork.

1

Enter Aadhaar or mobile number

Start with your Aadhaar number or any mobile number and verify with an OTP — no paperwork, no cost.

2

Get your ABHA number & address

A unique 14-digit ABHA number is created along with an easy-to-share ABHA address (yourname@abdm).

3

Download your ABHA card

Save or print your ABHA card, then link existing lab reports and prescriptions into one national health record.

ABDM, ABHA & Ayushman card — frequently asked questions

What is ABDM, and what is the ABDM full form?

ABDM stands for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — India’s national initiative, run by the National Health Authority, to build a connected, consent-based digital health system. It lets your medical records be linked and shared securely across hospitals, labs and apps, only with your permission.

Is ABHA the same as the Ayushman (PM-JAY) card?

No. ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is your free digital health ID — a 14-digit ABHA number used to store and share health records. The Ayushman card belongs to PM-JAY, a government health-insurance scheme that covers eligible families for up to ₹5 lakh a year. ABHA is for everyone; the Ayushman card is for eligible beneficiaries.

Is creating an ABHA number free?

Yes. Creating your ABHA number and using it under ABDM is completely free for citizens. You only need your Aadhaar number or a mobile number to get started, and ExaHealth never charges you to create or use your ABHA.

How do I download my ABHA card?

Once you create your ABHA with your Aadhaar or mobile number, your ABHA card is generated instantly — you can view, download or print it right away, and access it again any time from your ExaHealth account.

How do I apply for the Ayushman card online?

The Ayushman (PM-JAY) card is issued to eligible families based on government criteria. You can check eligibility and apply online through the official PM-JAY channels; our About PMJAY page explains who qualifies and how it differs from ABHA.

Approved ABDM PHR, Health Locker, UHI from NHA
National Health AuthorityAyushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)Unified Health Interface (UHI)

An ABDM-certified PHR & Health Locker under India’s Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — link your ABHA to pull and share records across hospitals and labs, with consent you control. And live on UHI, India’s Unified Health Interface — search blood stock, ambulances, doctors and government schemes across the national health network.